The move sees the Toyota Prius become the first car to have undergo the new test of AEB technology, which is intended to encourage advanced crash avoidance technology for all cars.

In the Prius tests, Euro NCAP said the standard ‘Toyota Safety Sense’ system effectively recognised potential crashes with pedestrians and cars and has helped the Prius achieve the first five-star rating in 2016.

“The inclusion of AEB Pedestrian in the rating is a key milestone in the development of automotive safety that will help the proliferation of the crash avoidance technology into all segments of the market. At the same time, to provide accurate and clear information to consumers about the latest systems and what benefit they might bring, is becoming more challenging. The dual rating will simplify the choice for the safest car,” said Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP secretary general.  

Euro NCAP also awarded its first dual rating – which allows two star ratings for the same vehicle and is intended to help drivers understand the safety benefit which can be achieved by the additional crash avoidance equipment offered.

The system works by awarded a base rating for a car equipped with safety equipment which is standard on the model range throughout the EU28 region. A second rating can also be awarded for a car fitted with a ‘safety pack’ that is available on all variants but may be sold as option or standard in some markets.

The first dual rating was given to the Suzuki Baleno, which scored three stars based on the standard safety equipment.

With the optional 'Radar Brake Support' safety pack – which includes an AEB City and AEB Inter-Urban system – the Baleno achieved four stars.